Spitzer’s ‘In The Arena’ Axed

The NYT reports that former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s CNN show, “In the Arena,” has been axed by the network and will be replaced by Anderson Cooper’s “AC360.”

According to an internal memo from the executive in charge of CNN/U.S., Ken Jautz, the channel is “in discussions with (Spitzer) about an alternative role.” But Spitzer’s own statement, obtained by NY1 and CapTon, seems to cast doubt on that, as it’s decidedly past tense.

“We engaged serious people in conversations about national and global issues in a way that was informative and challenging,” Spitzer said.

“I believe that we provided diverse and valuable perspectives during the show’s tenure. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at CNN.”

The former governor’s show, which debuted as “Parker Spitzer,” went through a revamp after the February departure of his onetime co-host, Kathleen Parker. But that did nothing to improve its ratings.

Spitzer has repeatedly expressed a longing to return to politics, and his name has been floated as a potential candidate in the 2013 NYC mayor’s race.

Public opinion polls have consistently indicated that New Yorkers aren’t yet ready to see Spitzer return to the public (ahem) arena, yet that hasn’t stopped the former governor from refusing to give, in his own words, a “Shermanesque” rejection of the idea that he might run for another executive post.